How to Make Fruity Pasta Swiss Salad

One of the perfect, easy-to-make cooking recipes that's bright, colorful and great for both lunch and dinner.

Ingredients:

Pasta Salad:

1 package (375 g) rotini noodles

1 cup (250 ml) Canadian Swiss cheese, diced

½ cup (125 ml) chopped dried apricots

½ cup (125 ml) chopped dates

½ cup (125 ml) sliced almonds

1 unpeeled apple, cubed

¼ cup (50 ml) chopped raw baby spinach

Fresh mint to garnish (optional)

Vinaigrette:

1/3 cup (75 ml) orange juice

1/3 cup (75 ml) olive oil

¼ cup (50 ml) rice vinegar

1 teaspoon (5 ml) orange zest

1 tablespoon (15 ml) liquid honey

Directions:

Pasta Salad:

1. In a saucepan, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes.

2. Combine pasta, apricots, dates, almonds, apples, spinach and Canadian Swiss cheese. Add vinaigrette to the pasta salad and mix well.

3. Serve garnished with fresh mint if desired.

Vinaigrette:

1. To make the vinaigrette, whisk together in a bowl orange juice, olive oil, rice vinegar, orange zest and honey.